The State has issued guidance for indoor bar & dining service once your region enters Phase 3. The indoor service guidance is nearly identical to the provisions for outdoor service, but indoor service is restricted to 50% of your maximum occupancy, not including your employees. The State has also updated the guidance for outdoor service…

The State Liquor Authority has posted answers to many of the questions being asked about the new outdoor dining rules. These FAQs help explain the rules for outdoor dining and address issues not covered in the written guidance. The Authority also reported that spot checks at licensed premises since outdoor dining began this week demonstrated…

The State Liquor Authority has provided guidance that allows you to alter your existing premises to accommodate outdoor dining while awaiting approval from the SLA. Review that guidance carefully so you don’t run afoul of it. You also must work with your local municipality to make sure you’re operating within local laws and ordinances.

Thanks to the aggressive advocacy of Senator Chuck Schumer on behalf of New York’s restaurants and other small businesses, the Senate just passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, legislation that would extend deadlines and relax restrictions on how loans are used.  The president is expected to sign the bill very soon. The key provisions of the…

Governor Cuomo announced plans for reopening outdoor dining at restaurants and bars and laid out the guidance for doing so you can begin making plans to reopen your business. Under the Governor’s plan you can open for outdoor dining when your region enters phase 2 and you can fully reopen in phase 3, about two…

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES OUTDOOR DINING AT RESTAURANTS WILL BE PERMITTED IN PHASE TWO OF REOPENING Restaurants in the Seven Regions that Have Already Entered Phase Two Can Reopen for Outdoor Dining Beginning Tomorrow, June 4th Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in…

As part of the Governor’s initiative for antibody sampling of essential workers, food delivery and restaurant workers will be offered the opportunity to receive free COVID-19 antibody testing. Sampling will be available to these employees from Monday 6/1 through Thursday 6/4 at the 8 sites listed below. This test will indicate whether an individual was…

The State released guidance for Phase 2 businesses to reopen and unfortunately restaurants and bars were not allowed to open on a limited basis in this phase, as of yet. We’re deeply disappointed but we’re not quitting. Allowing your establishments to open with limitations in Phase 2 is what the CDC guidance recommends . Our…

Join the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association and other hospitality groups for an industry briefing with Senator Schumer Wednesday, May 27th at 10:15 AM. Host: Senator Charles Schumer Event number (access code): 907 099 821 Event password: NpE2rHiFP77 Link: https://senate.webex.com/senate/onstage/g.php?MTID=e5134368e81eed7e7c92c634cf880bd15   Join the audio conference only To receive a call back, provide your phone…

Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed seven pieces of legislation providing relief for tenants, commercial establishments, and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new laws support struggling small businesses by imposing limits on third-party food delivery services, extending the suspension of sidewalk cafe fee collection, and protecting commercial tenants from harassment and personal liability. Together,…

By Steve Barnes, Albany Times Union Two lobbying groups are asking the state to allow New York’s restaurants and bars to begin serving in-house customers again during the second phase of economic reopening instead of two weeks later during the third phase, as is the case under the current state plan. The New York State…

Governor announces Mid-Hudson region to start Phase One on Tuesday…   Long Island “on track” to start Phase One on Wednesday but not a done deal